Saraswatimahapoojan - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Saraswatimahapoojan" by Suryodaysuri, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Shri Saraswati Mahapooja Vidhi (श्रीसरस्वतीमहापूजन विधि) Author: Compiled by P.P. Acharya Shri Vijay Suryodaysurishwarji M.S. (संकलन : प.पू. आचार्य श्रीविजयसूर्योदयसूरीश्वरजी म. सा.) Publisher: Shri Jain Granth Prakashan Samiti, Khambhat (प्रकाशक श्री जैन ग्रंथ प्रकाशन समिति, खंभात) Year: Samvat 2056 / 2000 CE

Overall Purpose: The book details the ritualistic worship (Mahapooja) of Goddess Saraswati, who is revered as Shri Shrutadevata (the deity of scriptural knowledge and learning) within the Jain tradition. The primary aim of this pooja is to attain knowledge, enhance intellect, and overcome the karmic obstructions (jnana-avaraniya karma) that impede spiritual progress.

Key Sections and Content:

Introduction and Publisher's Note (Page 4):
- The book was published by Shri Jain Granth Prakashan Samiti, Khambhat in the year 2000 CE.
- The compilation was inspired by the Chaturmas of Acharya Shri Vijay Suryodaysurishwarji M.S. in Bhavnagar in 2056 VS.
- During this Chaturmas, a significant Saraswati pooja was conducted for children to foster their religious and practical education and to help them shed the karmas that obstruct knowledge.
- The pooja, which involved austerities (Ekasan) and chanting (Jaap), was performed on specific days in Asso (month).
- The publication of this pooja booklet was in response to the requests of devotees.
- The publishers express a wish that the pooja serves as a cause for the subsidence of karmas related to knowledge for all.
Preparation for the Pooja (Page 6):
- Purpose: Primarily for acquiring knowledge and intellectual prowess, and for the subsidence of karmas that obstruct knowledge.
- Timing: Ideally performed at the conclusion of a twenty-one-day ritual of worshipping Shri Saraswati Devi / Shri Shrutadevata, involving chanting and other practices.
- Venue: Requires a well-ventilated space of approximately 15 feet width and 20 feet length.
- Purification: Details specific instructions for purifying the ground, including digging and cleansing if there's a suspicion of contamination (e.g., animal remains, iron debris). For plastered floors, it recommends cleaning with cow dung, water, and rosewater.
- Decoration: The pooja area should be adorned with torans (door hangings) of Ashoka leaves, and a auspicious toran at the main entrance.
List of Materials Required (Pages 6-8):
- Deities: Idols or pictures of Shri Mahavir Swami Bhagwan, Shri Gautam Swami, and Shri Saraswati Devi.
- Ritual Utensils: Elevated seats (trigadu, chandravo), low stools (bajoth), platforms (paat), woolen mats, small carpets, clean bedsheets, napkins, dusters, scissors, a small iron rod.
- Aromatic Substances: Red sandalwood, incense sticks (kada), camphor, vermilion (kanku), betel nuts.
- Chanting Aids: Lotus seed pods or almonds (150 count) for counting mantras.
- Vessels: Thals (plates), thalis (small plates), bowls, large bowls, silver pitcher (kalash), lota (water vessel), cup, Panchapatra (five-vessel ritual set), tray, copper spoon, other spoons, small and large pots with lids, water bucket, small pooja bowls, five-faced lamp, matchboxes.
- Panchamrita: To be prepared in the morning and kept in a silver kalash or lota, with curd collected the previous day.
- Fragrance and Color for Puja: High-quality sand (vasakshep), Ashtagandha (eight aromatic substances), saffron, attar (perfume).
- Rice for Puja: High-quality rice (250 grams).
- Flowers: Five types of white flowers (e.g., Jasmine, Mogra, Champak, White Rose - 150 each), two flower garlands.
- Offerings (Naivedya): Rock candy (khadi sakar - 108 pieces), eight types of sweets (total 1.5 kg), and four specific items: Kheer (rice pudding), Kansar (a sweet dish), lentil vadas, and Adad (urad dal) pakoras (100 grams).
- Lamp Ritual (Deep Puja): Lamp to be kept lit throughout the pooja, a lamp placed on a thali for chanting 108 times. Requires ghee (200 grams), cotton wicks, lamps, and a lantern.
- Incense Ritual (Dhoop Puja): High-quality incense (100 grams), large incense grains, brazier, charcoal, kerosene, tongs, sieve.
- Fruit Offering (Phal Puja): Bijoru (citron), Shriphal (coconut), eight other types of fresh fruits, and whole almonds (108).
- Clothing Offering (Vastra Puja): White silk sari with embroidered border, a silver umbrella, and ₹25 in cash.
- Jewelry Offering (Abharan Puja): Sixteen types of adornments (Nathdi, ring, damani, bangles, armlets, crown, earrings, pearl necklace, waist belt, anklets, silk sari, sindur, kanku, ivory or conch comb, bottle of attar, flower garland).
Seating Arrangement (Page 8):
- Those desiring knowledge should face East if possible.
- Begin by reciting three Navkar Mantras, establishing the Trigadu, Paat, etc.
- Recite three more Navkar Mantras and then place the idols/pictures of Shri Mahavir Swami, Shri Gautam Swami, and Shri Saraswati Devi.
Method of Worship (Page 8):
- The worship can be performed over three days with the observance of Ayambil tapas (a specific type of fasting) and chanting of the mantra "Aim Namah" for 125 rounds (12,500 recitations) to gain knowledge.
Saraswati Stotras (Pages 9-15):
- The book includes several devotional hymns and stotras dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. These are attributed to:
  - Shri Bappabhatt Suri (Page 9)
  - Chirantanacharya (Page 10-11)
  - Shri Munisundar Suri (Page 11)
  - Acharya Shri Vijay Hemchand Suri (Page 12)
  - A prayer with 16 names of Saraswati (Page 13-14)
  - Chirantanacharya's Saraswati Stuti (Page 15-16)
- These stotras praise Saraswati's divine qualities, her role in bestowing knowledge, her association with learning, and her power to remove ignorance and obstacles.
Mantra and Ritual Procedures (Pages 16-31):
- Initial Recitations: Begins with the Pancham Paramesthi Namaskar (Navkar Mantra).
- Purification of Materials: Mantras for purifying water, leaves, flowers, sandalwood, incense, and lamps are provided. The concept of "Anekantvaad" and the principles of Ahimsa are invoked in these purification mantras.
- Self-Protection (Atma Raksha): A section on protective mantras to safeguard the worshipper, based on the Navkar Mantra.
- Purification Mantras: Mantras for the purification of the body and mind ("Arje Virje").
- Amrit Abhishek: A mantra for a symbolic "nectar bath."
- Sin Cleansing (Kalmshadahan): A mantra to cleanse oneself of sins.
- Heart Purification (Hridaya Shuddhi): A mantra for purifying the heart.
- Bead Visualization (Panch Beejani Dharana): Visualization of seed syllables at specific body parts.
- Directional Binding (Dig Bandhan): Mantras to bind the directions, performed by sprinkling water.
- Finger and Limb Anganyas: Ritualistic placement of mantras on fingers and limbs for consecration.
- Raksha Bandhan: Instructions for tying a sacred thread (nada-chhadi) for protection.
- Tilak to Directional Guardians: Applying Tilak to elemental guardians of directions.
- Invocation of Vayu Kumar and Megh Kumar: Rituals to invite atmospheric deities for purification.
- Earth Purification: Mantras for purifying the ground with sandalwood paste.
- Body Purification (Snan Mantra): A mantra for symbolic bathing.
- Kshetrapal Pooja: Worship of the guardian deity of the sacred space.
- Shri Mahavir Swami Pooja: Worship of Lord Mahavir, followed by offerings to Shri Gautam Swami and Shri Saraswati Devi.
- Invocation and Installation of Saraswati Devi: Detailed mantras for invoking, seating, and establishing the presence of Saraswati Devi.
- Yantra Installation and Purification: Instructions for setting up and purifying the ritualistic diagram (yantra).
- Shri Shrut Gyan Pooja: Worship of the sacred scriptural knowledge itself, with specific mantras and offerings.
- Ashta Prakari Pooja: The eightfold worship (water, sandalwood, rice, flowers, offering, lamp, incense, fruit) is described. Each offering is accompanied by specific mantras and a symbolic gesture.
- Vastra Puja and Abharan Puja: Offering of clothes and ornaments to the deity.
- Meditation (Dhyanam): Hymns for meditating on Saraswati Devi, describing her form and powers.
- Saraswati Stotras: Recitation of various stotras dedicated to Saraswati, including a 12-name stotra, a 16-name stotra, and an 108-name stotra.
- Aarti: Ritualistic waving of lamps, followed by a specific Aarti for Mother Saraswati.
- Prayer for Forgiveness (Kshama Prarthana): A prayer for forgiveness for any omissions or errors during the pooja.
- Visarjan: Mantras for the ceremonial departure of the deity back to her original abode.

Key Themes and Principles:

Knowledge and Intellect: The central theme is the pursuit of knowledge, wisdom, and intellectual enhancement.
Overcoming Obstacles: The pooja aims to remove karmic obstructions that hinder learning and spiritual growth.
Devotion and Faith: Emphasizes sincere devotion and faith in Goddess Saraswati.
Ahimsa: The purification mantras subtly incorporate principles of Jain Ahimsa by mentioning "nirvyatha" (without suffering) and "nirapaya" (without harm) for all beings, including the elemental categories.
Ritual Purity: Strict adherence to purity in materials and actions is crucial.
Austerity and Discipline: The mention of Ayambil tapas highlights the importance of ascetic practices.
Veneration of Jain Tirthankaras: The inclusion of pooja for Lord Mahavir and Shri Gautam Swami underscores the integration of these rituals within the broader Jain spiritual framework.

In essence, "Saraswati Mahapooja Vidhi" is a detailed guide for Jain devotees seeking to invoke the blessings of Goddess Saraswati for intellectual advancement and spiritual purification, firmly rooted in the principles and practices of Jainism.